Switch means



Aug. 21, 1929.'

H. I. MORRIS SWITCH MEANS Filed May 2, 1927 sheets-suds:

INVE NTOR Maw ' ATTORNEY i to Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES (PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD I. IOBBIS, 01 LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE YODEB-KOBBIS CO1 PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SWITCH MEANS.

Application fil ed Kay 2,

This invention relates. to mechanism adapted to be operated or controlled b the passage of a vehicle wheel over a switc means disposed in its path of movement, more particularly to an improved switch means, whereby an electric circuit for such mechanism is controlled- One obj ct of the invention is to provide an improved switch means in which the contact elements thereof are completely protected from the elements, water, condensation of moisture andel'ectrical currents in the material forming the bed or surface or on which the switch means is ositioned.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an improved switch means having an improved mounting for its contact elements capable of preventing engagement of the latter except by the passing over the mounting of a relatively heavy weight.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an im roved' switch mounting formed from a nonygroscopic material, whereby deterioration of the switch contacts and danger of short oircuiting thereof due to condensation of moisture is substantially eliminated. Another object of the invention is to mount the switch'contacts-in operative relation in a flexible insulation material which hermeticall seals them and which permits their rea y engagement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch means that is relatively simple and durable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch means which is readily installed and capable of positive operation at all times.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the. art to which my invention relates from the following descrip tion taken in connection with the accompanyingadrawings, whereinig. 1 is a view, partly in plan and partly diagrammatic, showing one application of my improved switch means to control a power op; erated mechanism.

Fi 2-is a-di ram of the circuits forthe. switc means an mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

' shown mounted in the bed of a road or a drive Fig. 3 is a plan view of. the switch means- HEISSUED 'Fi 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figs. 3an 4.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 3 and showing the operation of the switch means when the wheel of a vehicle passes i fr h 1 ig. is a a entar section, slig t enlar d on the ll15 55 of Figs. 3 and 4. y

ig. -8 is a perspective view of one of the switch contact elements.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view show ing a slightly different form of construction.

My improved switch means, indicated as an entirety at l, is adapted to be mounted in the path of a moving vehicle so that when one or more of its wheels 1' I pass over it, the weight thereof causes contact between a pair of contacts, designated 2, 3, in the drawings, to close an electrical circuit A which directly or indirectly efl'ects operation of a suitable device or mechanism. The switch means may be mounted on the bed constituting the road or driving surface for the vehicle and anchored in position ingany suitable manner or its casing may be'embedded therein. It will be evident that my improved switch means may be employed for various purposes, for example, for controlling a circuit for signalling purposes, whereby a signal or an alarm is actuated at a distant point, as at a street intersection, or for lighting purposes. Another purpose for which it may be employed consists in operatinga door opening and closing mechanism, this latter application of my mvention being shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 1 and 2, B indicates a garage having one or more doors I), referably arranged to swing on hinges b. 8 indicates a driveway leading to the garage and showing my improved switch means 1 associated with the driveway in position-for one or more wheels 1' of a-vehicle to pass, over it when moving 1n either direction. D indicates an operating mechanism,operated by an electric motor d (see Fig.- 2) and having driven elements d connected through links d" with the doors I) toswing them open and to swing them closed each time the switch means operates or under the conditions hereinafter referred to. The operating mechanism D and circuits (hereinafter described) therefor, form" the subject illustration thereof will not be necessary.

.The circuit is preferablg arrangedto' op:

crate a magnetic switch which in turn closes a separate circuit to maintain the motor at in operation, following which the circuit A opens, as will later appear. The circuit A is normally open, but is closed whenthevehicle wheel 1 passes over the switch means 1, as shown in Fig. 6. The circuit A consists of the electric supply main 4, a lead 5 connected with the main 4 and one of the switch contacts for example, contact 2, and a lead 6, connected to the other contact (3), and an electric supply main 4, and a lead 4' connected to the lead 6, at 6; and also to one side of the motor d by a lead 4". For a purpose which will later appear, the coil of the magnetic switch F is connected in ser1es in the lead 6. 7 indicates a lead connected to the main 4 and con- 1 nected through a switch 8 to the other side of the motor 0E. The switch 8 comprises a pairof contacts 8, 8' and the magnetic switch armature 7 which makes contact with the contacts 8' when the coil f of the magnetic switch F is energized. 9 indicates a lead connected to the lead 6 and lead 7. Accordingly, it will be seen that when the switch means 1 is operated by the engagement of contacts: 2, 3, (1) the motor, circuit A is first established through the leads 4, 4 leads 4, 5, contacts 2,

'3, and lead 6, (2) the motor circuit is established by the mains 4*, 4 and 4 to one side of the motor and main 4, lead 7 and switch 8 to the other side of the motor; and (3) a shunt circuit is established by the lead 9 betweenthe leads 6 and 7, which serves to maintain the .armature 'coil, f energized upon the disengagement of ,the contacts 2, 3. From the foregoing description it will be seen that'upon the closing of the circuit A across the switch contacts 2, 3, the motor 11 will be Set in operation and continue'to' operate so long as the magnetic switch coil f remains energized, even if the contacts 2, 3, become disengaged, as isvthe case after the wheel 1 passes over the switch means 1. 10 indicates a switch interposed in the lead 9 and normally I or approach their full open or full closed position. 12 indicates a normally closed switch interposed in the lead 9 in series with the switch 10 .and opened automatically by a relatively movable element (not shown), which element is actuated when undue resistance to the movement of one or both doors b results, as when either door meets with'anobstruction.

As already set forth, the contacts 2, 3, of the switch means 1 are normally out of contact.

When moved' into engagement by the passage of a wheel or wheels 1- over the switch means the circuit A will be closed with the result that the motorgd will be set in operation; like wise the shunt circuit will be closed substantially simultaneously so that upon the'wheel or wheels 1 rolling over beyond the switch means, the disengagement of the contacts thereof will not stop the motor (1. The circuit A may be closed by any one of a plurality of switches (one being shown at P-Fig. 2) is connected in parallel with the leads 56. Once the shunt circuit is closed, the separate motor circuit across the contacts 8-8 will be maintained and the motor kept running until the shunt circuit is opened automatically by the switches 10 or 12 under the conditions already set" forth, orinanually by a normally closed switch 1", also interposed in'the shunt circuit.

Of the switch means 1, 13 indicates a support comprising a base 14 having thickened sides andends to form upstandingwalls 14 co-operating. to form a pocket or recess for a mounting 15 to be later referred to. 16 indicates a plurality of anchoring devices depending from the base 14 and adapted to be embedded in the bed of the surface, which in the illustrated application of my invention constitutes the driveway C. The anchor-- ing devices may be of any desired shape and construction to form an interlock with materials of the bed. The devices lG-are preferably formed integral with base 14.

17 indicates a casing preferably disposed at one end of the base 14 and having its walls formed integral therewith. The casing is 100 closed on all sides except its top, which registers with an opening 18 formed in the base'14. The casing 17 forms a chamber wherein the leads 2, 3, connected to the contacts 2,3, respectively may be siiitably connected 'or 5 spliced to the ends of the'leads 5, 6, the latter extending through aconduit 19 having its end mounted in an opening in one wall of the easing. The top of the casing may be closed by a cover 17 fitted to a rabbeted portion in the base 14 and formed'with openings for the leads 2*,3.

" The contacts 2, 3,comprise strips of suitable conducting material extending longitudinally substantially from end to end of the mount- T ing 15 and centrally thereof and by preference each strip is continuous from end to end.

As will be understood, the contacts 2, 3, are embedded within the mounting 15 and the latter (with the leads 2, 3, connected to the contacts 2, 3, and leading therefrom) is cured or otherwise treated according to the character. of the-material of which it is formed, with the result that the contacts are hermetically sealed within themounting.

M The mounting is formed within its body portion with a cavity or chamber 20 substantially equal in len th to the strips 2, 3, andthe central longitudinal portions 2', 3', of the contact strips are disposed within the cavity, prefercushioning pressed. In the present disclosure t e cushioning means is provided by making the mounting of flexible material, preferably having resiliency, and'embedding these lateral I portions 21- in the material beyond the side walls of the cavity 20, so that the portions 15' of the material between the lateral portions 21 of the strips will maintain the central portions 2', 3, thereof in s aced relation, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and ermit of their contact one with the other, by the compression of these spacing portions The central portions 2, 3, of the strips 2, 3, are preferably of concavo-convex shape in cross section and the convex surfaces thereof arein opposed relation to more readil effect their contact to close the circuit A. hurthermore the lateral portions are rovided with spaced upset sectlons or mem ers 22, so that the material 15' of the moun ng 15 and metal of the portions 21 are in rlocked to anchor the strips 2, 3, in aligned operative position and agamst creeping in any direction. By pref! erence the stri s 2, 3, are similar in construction and each ormed' of resilient material in order to more effectively cause their disengagement when pressure on'the mounting 15 is relieved, and even in this form of construction only the upper contact 3 need be so formed; in the broader aspects of the invention the normal out of contact relation of the contacts 2, 3, may be provided b making the the contacts 2, 3, to affect their functioning to --close and break the circuit A; it may be made with suflicient resiliency topermit flexing of the contact 3 and its quick return to normal position after the relief of ressure on its upper surface; it may be readily shaped to efiect yielding above the contacts; it is durable'and' astin and its re ated compression doesnot affect its life an has little or no eflect upon its resiliency. a

The mounting 1B is removably mounted in a the recess between the upstanding walls 14',

its sides and ends being interlocked thereportions with flanges 23 whic fit into this space, these flanges formin an interlock bitween the mounting 15 an the side walls 1 The-upper surface of the mounting 15 is preferabl convex so that the central portion 15" a ove the contacts 2, 3, will be relatively thick to insure the movement of the upper contact 3 into engagement with the contact 2. To insure the bearing of the full weight of the wheel and its load on the central ortion 15'- of the mounting, those longitudinal portions 15 along either side of the central portion 15 are made to yield or flex more readily than the central portion 15, so that they will not support the wheel and hence prevent compression of the central portion as the wheel passes over the mounting. For this purpose, the under side of the mounting 15 is formed with two 1ongitudinally extending grooves 24, with the result that the thickness of the walls of the portions 15 will be reduced and the grooves form spaces to receive the portions 15 when com ressed and thus reduces the tendency of distortion due to flattening out of the material under the weight of the wheel as would be the case if the portions 15 were solid between their upper and lower surfaces. 7

The switch means 1 may be used to close the circuit each time a wheel 1" asses over it and hence when so operated, t e doors I), if closed will swing open and opened,- the .doors b will swing close. The circuit A may be arranged so that the switch'means 1 will 0 erate to swing the doors in one direction 0 y. This is accomplished by interposing in the lead 5 between the lead 9 and contact 3 a switch 13 that is actuated by one of, the doors 6, as follows: If it is desired to have the switch means 1 close the circuit A and operate the doors to closed position when a car is driven out of the driveway G then this switch 13' isopened by one opened position when a car is driven into the driveway C then the switch18'is closed by one of the doors b when they close and the switch is open when the doors areopen.

Fig. 9 shows a slightly modified form of construction wherein the base is simplified .as fiithrsuch in g P Y being of 0 h it may rest flat on the driveway, in-

stead of being embedded therein and anchored by depending members 16. In this form of construction, the base comprises a plate 14* of suitable shet metal and a frame 15 having side and end members which form a recess for the mounting 15, the inner side walls of these members being similar in construction to corresponding walls of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The anchoring devices .16 and walls of the junction chamber 17 are preferably formed integrally with the'frame members and the plate 149 may be secured thereto in any suitable manner.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely difiering applications and embodiments of my invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit andscope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. A switch comprising a body of material, contacts having portions embedded'in said material and portions in superposed relation arranged to contact one with the other when said body is compressed, means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally maintaining their contacting portions out of contact.

2. A switch comprising a body of nonhygroscopic material, contacts having portions embedded in said material and portions 'in superposed relation arranged to contact one with the other when said body is compressed, means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally.

maintaining their contacting portions "out of contact. Q

3. A switch comprising a body of insulation material, contacts having portions embedded in said material and portions in superposed relation arranged to contact one.

with the other when said body is compressed,

means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally main taining their contacting portions out of contact. I Y

4. A switch comprising a-body of flexible insulation material formed with an interior cavity and contacts having portions embedded in the materialand portions in superposedrelation in said cavity adapted to contact one with the other when said material is compressed, and means permitting their connection with an external circuit.

I 5. A switch comprising a body of flexible non-hygroscopic insulation material formed with an interior cavity and contacts having portlons embedded in the material and portions in superposed relation in said cavity adapted to contact with the other when said -material is depressed, ahd means permitting their connection with an external circuit.

6. A switch comprising a body of flexible insulation material formed interiorly with a longitudinally extending closed cavity and strips of conducting material having portions within and extending substantially from end to end of said cavity in opposed relation and arranged to contact to close a circuit and portions embedded in said material in spaced relation and supporting said contacting portions normally out of contact, and means permitting their connection with an external circuit 7. A switch comprisingabody of flexible insulation material formed interiorly with a relatively long closed cavity, a pair of conducting strips within and extending longi- 8. A switch comprising a body of flexible v insulation material formed interiorly with a relatively long closed cavity, a pair of conducting strips Within and extending lon itudinally of said cavity in superposed re ation and having their lateral portions embedded in said material .in spaced relation, whereby said strips are supported in spaced relation, means permitting their connection with an external circuit, and means for anchoring the lateral portions of said strips in said material.

9. A switch comprising a body of com.- pressible, insulation material, a pair of contacts embedded within the interior of said body in superposed spaced relation to each other, the material between portionsof said contacts being removed to permit their contact to close a circuit when said body is depressed, and leads having portions embedded in said body and connected to said contacts.

10. In a switch, the-combination of a support, a body of compressible material mounted on said support,'a pair of contacts sealed within said body in-superposed spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when said body is depressed, and

terialand connected tofsaid contacts.

having upstanding side walls, a bod of com: pressible insulation .material on-sai base fitting against said walls and a pair of contacts sealed within the said body in spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their 11. In a switch, the combination of a base.

contact when said body is depressed, said contacts having means permitting their connection with an external circuit.

12. In a switch, the combination of a support, a body of flexible insulation material on said-support and having a thickened body portion extending longitudinally throughout its central portion, to provide a central elevated portion on its upper surface, a pair of conducting strips disposed in superposed spaced relation and sealed within the interior of said body and having portions in opposed relation below the thickened portion of the body and arranged to contact when said elevated portion is depressed, and means permitting their connection with an external circuit.

13. In a switch, the combination of a base having upstanding side walls, a body of compressible insulation material on said base fitting against and having interlocking relation with said walls and a pair of contacts sealed within the said body in spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when said body is depressed, said contacts having means permitting their connection with an external circuit. I

14. A switch as claimed in claim 11 in which the underside of said body is formed with grooves extending along its lateral portions.

15. In a switch, the combination of a support, a body of compressible material mounted thereon, a pair of contacts sealed within said body in spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in exposed relation to permit their contact when said body is displaced, leads having portions embedded in said body and connected to said contacts to permit connection with an e'xternal circuit,

and an embedding anchoring device connected to said support.

16. In a switch, the combination of a support, a body of compressible material mounted thereon, a pair of contacts sealed within said body in spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in exposed relation to permit their contact when said body is displaced, leads having portions embedded in said body and connected to said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and a lurality of depending members, one thereoi serving as an anchoring device and the other comprising a casing into which said leads extend.

17. A switch comprising a body of resilient insulation material, a pair of contacts sealed there within having ortions embedded in the material and normal y held by the portion of the resilient material between them in s aced. relation and portions in super osed .re ation arranged to contact one with t e other when said material is depressed, and leads connected to said contacts and extending to a point outside said material.

18. A switch comprising a body of resilient rubber material, a pair of contacts sealed therewithin having portions embedded in the material and normally held by the portion of the resilient material between them in spaced relation and portions in superposed relation arranged to contact one with the other when said material is depressed and leads connected to said contacts and extending to a point outside said material. 1

19. A switch comprising a support having side walls, a body of flexible insulation material secured to said walls and formed with an interior cavity, contacts having portions in said cavity adapted to contact one with the other when said material is depressed and lateral portions embedded beyond the side walls of said cavity in said material and held contacts having portions in said cavity adapted to contact one with the other when said material is depressed and lateral portions embedded beyond the side Walls of the cavity in said material and held in spaced relation thereby, means for anchoring said lateral portions in said material and leads having portions embedded in said material and connected to said contacts.

21. A switch comprising a bodyof resilient material formed interiorly with a closed cavity disposed substantially midway between opposite edges of the bodfy, the portions of the body at either side 0 the cavity being cut away, contact devices having portions embedded in said body in spaced relation and portions extending into said cavity forcontact one with the other, and means for connecting said devices with an external circuit. T

22. A switch comprising an elongated body of resilient material formed interiorly with a longitudinally extending closed cavit contact stripsenclosed in said cavity and aving lateral portions embedded in the material in spaced relationand normally supporting the strips in said cavity out of contact, and a lon 'tudinally extending recess formed in one sur ace of said body between said cavity and the adjacent longitudinal side edge of said body.

HOWARD I. MORRIS. 

